Hylo Impact Review
This week we’re introducing a new brand to Northern Runner with our Hylo Athletic Impact review. The Hylo Impact is a well-cushioned neutral training shoe designed for everyday training runs, from newer British brand Hylo Athletic. Despite being a shoe designed for the everyday running, recovery miles and even longer runs with soft cushioning, the propulsion from the rocker makes it versatile enough for some quicker running e.g. ‘steady’ runs or ‘tempo’ runs.
Designed with comfort in mind, it is no surprise that the knitted upper is lovely and soft. The heel cup sits high around the ankle, but is very soft and lightly padded. Together with a semi-stiffened heel cup this provides a secure and snug fit around the heel. There is an additional lace hole at the top of the laces so you can make the heel fit even snugger if you wish by putting the laces through this hole or by butterfly lacing the shoes. The tongue is gusseted and the laces thread through a tab on the tongue to prevent it from slipping to either side while running. The tongue is also very soft and lightly padded. The toe box is spacious, but not excessively so. The upper material, impressively compared to other big brands supposedly looking to make a difference, is made from 100% bio-based nylon.
Nitrogen Infused
The midsole is Nitrogen infused–essentially meaning it’s ‘sealed’. Running shoe midsoles are basically rubber with lots of little bubbles in them. When you put force through them as you hit the floor, you squash the air out. When you lift your foot up, the midsole reshapes and the air comes back in. As the air can’t escape from a Nitrogen infused midsole it acts more like a super strong balloon, which gives it an undeniably ‘bouncy’ ride. This also stops the shoes from gaining weight on wet days, preventing water and dirt from getting in and also reduces how quickly the midsole breaks down.
Midsole
The Hylo Impact midsole is 33mm thick in the heel 25mm in the forefoot giving the shoes an 8mm heel to forefoot drop. The midsole also has a curved ‘rocker’ construction. Together with the Nitrogen infused midsole this gives the shoe a cushioned, bouncy yet soft ride. The midsole is also 65% bio-based. This is not only the highest percentage we have seen on the running shoe market but about twice as much as anyone else. Where some bio-based midsoles have worn out a bit quicker, or don’t have the same energy return as oil-based midsoles, I have done a few hundred miles in a pair of Hylo Impact and feel no difference between it and other less environmentally friendly running shoes. I do not expect it will wear any differently, so again they’ve got something very right.
I am a midfoot striker and an 8mm heel to forefoot drop is often too high for me personally. Although I am aware of the heel height when I stand up in the shoes the smooth transition from landing to take off means that I am unaware of the heel to forefoot drop while running in the Hylo Impact running shoes. I expect the vast majority of runners will feel at home in the Hylo Impact.
Outsole Grip
The outsole of the Hylo Impact has been inspired by Formula 1 tyres and has a similar texture and look about it. The outsole is made from 2.5mm thick longitudinal stripes of rubber that is 65% natural. Although they might appear a bit slick or smooth, they perform exceptionally well. You can feel the shoe grip to the road even on the wettest of days. The midsole is flexible enough medially and laterally to help keep the rubber in contact with the ground, which also enhances the grip.
A UK8 weights 280g, which is light for an everyday running shoe with this level of cushioning. The smooth ride that I experienced when running in the shoes made them feel even lighter when moving. The sizing for reference is similar to Brooks, Saucony, NNormal, Altra, VJ and Topo Athletic in my opinion, where I would wear my normal size at UK 11. This is compared to smaller fitting brands like Hoka, New Balance, Inov-8, La Sportiva and Karhu where I go up half a size.
Soft Out of the Box
The soft feel to the upper makes the Hylo Impact feel very comfortable out of the box. This is important when you’re putting the shoes on at 5.30am on a cold, dark winter’s morning! That initial feel of comfort makes you feel happy to step outside the door. The rocker is gentle and the initial feel to the cushioning is soft. That’s also ideal when you have tired, achy legs that haven’t woken up yet. The cushioning is soft, but despite an initial compression on impact, there’s a bounciness to the midsole and the rocker that keeps you moving forward. It’s easy to plod up the hills and skip down the other side without feeling like you are sinking into deep sand. On steadier runs, which are often described as ‘tempo’ runs, I found that the Hylo Impact didn’t hold me back and I could run at my usual pace with no extra effort required, despite the softness.
For the fastest training/racing the midsole is a bit too soft, but it’s simply not designed for your out-and-out race day. Saying that, it’s so versatile that if you want to buy one running shoe to cope with all of your running needs, then these are about as versatile as you’re going to get!
Great Shoe, Great Mission
Hylo Athletic aims to create running shoes that are 1) good at being running shoes and 2) friendlier to the planet.
Hylo running shoes are Vegan and mainly bio-based and Hylo is a Blue Corp company. There is an NFC chip in the tongue of every shoe that you tap with your phone to get info on how to care for and recycle the shoes when they have worn out.
Summary
The Hylo Impact is a soft, super comfy out of the box well-cushioned everyday running shoe. Throughout all my review miles the midsole had a bouncy feel and the transition was smooth from ground impact to push off. A couple of hundred miles in I see no extra wear than big brand names and it’s a great shoe first and they’re genuinely trying to minimise impact on the planet second. They also feel comfortable at quicker paces and will do everything for almost everyone. If you’re looking for your race day shoe, you’ve got our Road Racing category for that.
The Hylo Impact is great and the reason we picked up Hylo as our latest brand at NorthernRunner.com!
Other Considerations
Hoka Bondi: The rocker is more noticeable. The toe box is narrower and more pointed. Similar soft ride. Doesn’t feel as good at quicker paces. Available in two width women’s and three width men’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-bondi-8-review/
Karhu Mestari: A lot more propulsion from the Fulcrum and rocker combined. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-mestari-run-1-0-review/
Brooks Glycerin 21: Similar soft feel and bouncy midsole. However, the lack of a rocker gives the Glycerin less of a smooth ride. Available in two width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-glycerin-21-review/
Topo Atmos: The cushioning is firmer but, the shoes have a similar smooth ride. The toe box of Topo shoes is more rounded and broader to encourage more foot function. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-atmos-review/
Altra Via Olympus 2: A broad rounded toe box and zero drop encourage a more midfoot landing and upright posture. There is a rocker to help increase the smoothness of the transition. Not as good at quicker paces as the Hylo Impact. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-via-olympus-2-review/
New Balance 1080 v13: A much softer and bouncier ride. A bit too soft if you are running up and downhill a lot. Available in three width men’s and two width women’s.
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-1080v13-review/
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